Safe cycling
Welcome to our "Safe cycling" page.
In partnership with the University's Sustainable Travel program, we hope to give you useful and practical advice and assistance. Visit the pages for up to date information for all things cycling.
From here you can find lots of information regarding cycling on campus and also links to videos and editorials giving practical advice for a number of issues and topics.
The university has a large number of bicycle users and has provided bike racks throughout the campus, but that's not all we do for cyclists.
Did you know that you can record all your bike details by downloading our free ""?
From a security point of view we can offer practical advice regarding keeping your valuable bike safe and secure and we also deal with abandoned cycles to help keep the racks clear for use.
Bicycle theft
Cycle theft is a problem in many locations in the UK, and yes… it happens here as well.
However, we are working hard to try to reduce this type of crime, and there is a lot you can do to help us to help you.
To avoid bike theft one of the first things you can do is lock up your bike at a university approved bike rack.
There are numerous bicycle racks located around the campus for use by the staff , students and the campus community.
These bicycle racks are typically in public locations, and although bike theft does occur we are hoping to reduce it further with the combined efforts of the security services and the local police
Please Note
The parking of bicycles in corridors and stairways is prohibited in all buildings, as this disrupts the flow of people and creates an unnecessary obstacle if an incident was to occur where a quick exit is crucial.
If, however, a bike is left or locked at a location other than the approved racks, such as railings or attached to a tree or lamp post, then theft is more likely to occur, as thieves will always look for the easy pickings.
How safe is your bike?
Watch the following programme if you want to see just how quickly your locks can be broken:
Which locks should I use
Remember that "No Lock" is unbreakable and if you have watched the above video you will see that if a thief is determined and has the right equipment he can bypass most locks.
However, do not despair as the average bike thief is not always as well equipped, and by working together we can reduce the opportunity for the thief to strike.
Try to buy the best lock you can afford, most guides give the advice to spend at least 10% of the value of the bike on locks to secure it.
Buy at least two locks and make sure that one of them is a "D" Type lock.
"D"Locks ( also called U locks) are often thought to give the best protection and are more difficult for the thief to remove, and with a two lock combination the thief may well pass by your bike in favour of an easier target.
You can buy a good quality "D" Lock from Security in Whiteknights house ( £14:00). Please give us a call to check stock levels. Tel: 0118 378 7799.
How to secure your bike
- Always use the designated bike racks, as they are more public and may be covered by cctv.
- Make sure you lock both the rear wheel and the frame with one lock to the bike rack, and the front wheel and the frame with another lock to the bike rack.
- If you are using a "D" Lock, make sure it is a tight fit as the more space you leave between the bike and the anchor point , the easier it will be to hit it with a hammer or use some other device to break it open.
- Remove all your accessories such as lights, pumps and even the seat if you can as this will make your bike less attractive to the thief.
- Register your bike with security and get a security label to show any would-be thief that it has been registered (proven deterrent).
- You can always park your